Knee Bursitis

People who kneel a lot are susceptible to knee bursitis

What is Knee Bursitis?

Knee bursitis is a painful condition in which one or more of the three fluid-filled sacs called bursae that surround the knee joint become inflamed. The function of a bursa is to be a gliding surface that reduces friction between tissues in the body. In knee bursitis, the bursa that is most often affected is the prepatellar bursa, which is located at the tip of the knee over the kneecap. It can become inflamed when there is trauma to the front of the knee. People who kneel a lot, such as roofers, carpet layers, and housekeepers, are susceptible to knee bursitis.

A second bursa, called the infrapatellar bursa, is located just under the kneecap beneath the tendon that attaches the muscles in front of the thigh and the kneecap to the bone in front of the lower leg. It is commonly seen as the result of a jumping injury and involves inflammation of the nearby tendon.

A third bursa, the anserine bursa, is located on the lower inner side of the knee. It usually becomes inflamed in individuals who are obese and in middle-aged women.

Symptoms of Knee Bursitis

People who have knee bursitis experience varying degrees of stiffness, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and redness in the knee joint area. For patients who have involvement of the prepatellar bursa, the pain is typically worse when kneeling, although the condition can cause stiffness with pain when walking. The range of motion of the knee is usually not affected. Patients with knee bursitis that affects the anserine bursa experience pain in the inner knee when climbing or descending stairs.

Occasionally, knee bursitis that involves the prepatellar bursa becomes infected with bacteria because of a break or puncture in the skin. When this occurs, patients usually experience a fever along with their other symptoms.

Knee Bursitis Treatment

The choice of knee bursitis treatment depends on whether there is an infection. Aseptic (no infection) knee bursitis that affects any of the three bursae can be treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), and anti-inflammatory and pain medications. If the bursitis is persistent, the doctor may remove any fluid from the bursa using a thin needle. Noninfected knee bursitis that affects the prepatellar or anserine bursa can also be treated with an injection of cortisone.

If you have infected (septic) knee bursitis of the prepatellar bursa, you will need to take antibiotics and to have the fluid removed. In some cases, surgical drainage and removal of an infected bursa is necessary.

3D Medical Animation of a Knee Replacement

How to Treat Tendonitis

IT Band Syndrome – Quick Relief from this Running Injury

ACL exercise

After knee surgery, especially the ACL, many patients lose their extension. If this extension is not gained quickly it can impede the healing process. Try this stretch to improve your extension. Source: O'Fit website

Understanding Knee Pain

Resolving Knee Pain

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AD – CHRIS DAVENPORT

AD – BRANKA Raskovic Gittens

AD – FLO “PONY” FREW

Straight Leg Exercise for Quads

Following most knee surgeries the quadriceps (thigh) muscle loses muscle mass in a matter of days. The stronger you are prior to surgery, the stronger you will be after surgery. This simple straight leg exercise can be done pre and post-operatively. Source: O'Fit website

IT Band Foam Rollers for Runners

By far the best stretch for runners. The Iiliotibial (IT) band is a trouble spot for many runners. This band can become very tight in runners creating anterior knee pain. By keeping this band loose, runners can prevent knee pain. Source: O'Fit website